Nick Chubb steps in as Houston’s lead back in Week 1 against the Rams, but the matchup is tougher than it appears. Houston’s O-line struggles heighten the risk, while Los Angeles added run-stopping depth that could bottleneck inside runs. Chubb’s primary value comes from short-yardage and goal-line work, yet his receptions look limited in a game where the Texans might lean on Nico Collins for perimeter production. In standard leagues, he’s still usable for a floor TD upside, but in PPR he’s a risky flex with limited receiving usage.

Joe Mixon’s absence for multiple weeks thrusts a career-narrative shift around the Texans backfield. Chubb’s floor remains steady due to volume, but expect modest yardage and few catches. Nico Collins could create more scoring chances, and the Rams’ improved run defense provides a clear downside for Chubb in Week 1. For fantasy players, the Week 1 calculus comes down to TD expectation and game script rather than sheer volume.

Miami added Cameron Dantzler in a bid to fortify its cornerback room ahead of final cuts, joining four veteran signings aimed at stabilizing a thin group after injuries to Kader Kohou and Artie Burns. The Dolphins’ corner corps now features Dantzler alongside Mike Hilton, Jack Jones and Cornell Armstrong, with Storm Duck, Cam Smith, Kendall Sheffield and Jason Marshall Jr. among the contenders for Week 1 roles. Dantzler’s track record in Minnesota—37 games and 26 starts with 3 interceptions—gives Miami a proven option as it navigates the 90-man to 53-man transition.

In the same week, Miami also announced Matthew Judon in a surprising move, waived Tarik Black and Ryan Stonehouse to free roster space, and pressed ahead with a preseason evaluation that has Ethan Robinson, undrafted cornerback from Minnesota, and several other youngsters in the mix. The competition centers on who can form the first and second teams at cornerback as the Aug. 26 deadline looms, while the Lions and Hooker provide a parallel preseason storyline that underscores the urgency of depth at the position for fantasy managers monitoring Miami’s defensive rotations.

Bijan Robinson locks in as the floor-strong workhorse you want in Round 1, delivering week-to-week punch with a high snap share and steady carry volume as Atlanta builds around him. The guide highlights his late-2024 run as a blueprint for a secure RB1 ceiling this season, even as centers and ancillary backs shift in the Falcons’ plan.

First-round wideouts still outpace top RBs at the top end, with Chase, Jefferson and company shaping the landscape for early drafts. Puka Nacua and Nico Collins emerge as high-floor targets in strong offenses, while Minshew/Coen-era adjustments could lift several pass-catchers. The cheat sheet emphasizes depth-chart dynamics, coaching trends, and projected roles to spotlight players poised for sustained fantasy production.

In all, the lineup blends proven anchors with breakout risk and environment-driven upside, creating a roadmap for confident early-draft strategies and resilient weekly lineups across standard and half-PPR formats.